Practical Preparedness for the People Who Need It Most
Community Resilience Training equips seniors, families, caregivers, and the people who support them with the knowledge and tools to stay safe — before, during, and after emergencies.
Sponsored by city agencies, public health departments, libraries, housing providers, Offices on Aging, and community foundations.
Delivered by Rivernstream — grounded in real-world resilience work with seniors, families, and community organizations across the Bay Area.
“In every emergency, it's the people who most need help that are left behind. Marguerite Young's Community Resilience Training meets Seniors where they are, shares their concerns and values, and provides a clear path forward to protecting life and well-being. The difference between information on the internet and a real human being helping you plan for safety — it's priceless.”
Who This Is For
Is This a Fit for Your Organization?
Community Resilience Training is designed for two groups: the organizations that sponsor it, and the community members who attend.
Sponsors & Partners
You fund and host the workshop — we bring the curriculum, facilitation, and materials. This is built for organizations that serve frontline communities and want to offer preparedness programming without building it from scratch.
- City & county agencies
- Public health departments
- Offices on Aging
- Public libraries
- Affordable housing providers
- Community foundations
- Faith communities & senior centers
Community Participants
Workshops are open to community members. The curriculum is designed to be accessible across ages, abilities, and backgrounds — no prior preparedness knowledge required.
- Older adults & seniors aging in place
- Families with children
- Unpaid family caregivers
- Home care & direct care workers
- People with disabilities or chronic conditions
- Adults with limited English proficiency
- Community health & social service staff
Not sure if this fits? We work with a wide range of organizations — if you serve people who would benefit from practical preparedness support, there's a good chance we can make it work. Reach out and let's talk.
Why This Matters
Prepared, Not Panicked
Emergencies don't wait for us to be ready — but preparation doesn't have to be overwhelming. Our workshops meet people where they are, using plain language, familiar scenarios, and community connections to build real-world readiness. No fear, no jargon, no assumption of prior knowledge.
Practical
Every session focuses on actions people can actually take — with what they have, where they live. We skip the hypothetical and focus on the real.
Accessible
Designed for people of all abilities, literacy levels, and tech comfort. Available in multiple languages. Structured for seniors, children, caregivers, and families.
Community-Rooted
Preparedness works best when neighbors know each other. Our workshops strengthen local networks and build the trust that makes communities truly resilient.
Grounded in Real-World Resilience Work
Training Tracks
Workshops for Every Audience
Each track is tailored to the specific needs, contexts, and challenges of its audience — not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
Children & Families
Audience
- Parents and caregivers
- K–8 children with adult facilitators
- Family care networks
- After-school programs
Topics Covered
- Age-appropriate emergency communication
- Family emergency plans and go-bags
- Staying calm and helping others
- Knowing who to call and where to go
Seniors
Audience
- Adults 60+
- Senior centers and housing
- Offices on Aging programs
- Memory care and assisted living staff
Topics Covered
- Emergency preparedness for limited mobility
- Medication and medical equipment planning
- Utility shut-offs and shelter-in-place
- Staying connected during prolonged outages
Caregivers
Audience
- Home care workers
- Family caregivers
- Social service staff
- Housing support workers
Topics Covered
- Preparing clients and households for emergencies
- Managing medical needs during disruptions
- Self-care and caregiver resilience
- Connecting clients to local resources
Train-the-Trainer
Audience
- Community health workers
- Library and housing staff
- Neighborhood leaders
- Public agency staff
Topics Covered
- Facilitation skills and adult learning
- Adapting materials for your community
- Building local preparedness networks
- Ongoing support and curriculum updates
Training Options
Choose the Right Format
Whether you need a single community event or an ongoing program, we have an option that fits.
90-Minute Community Workshop
A single, standalone session for up to 30 participants. Ideal for community events, resident meetings, and one-time programming.
- 90-minute facilitated workshop
- Participant handouts and takeaway materials
- Post-session resource list
- One track (choose your audience)
Three-Part Workshop Series
Three connected sessions building depth and skill over time. Best for ongoing programs, senior centers, or housing communities.
- Three 90-minute facilitated workshops
- Customized curriculum for your community
- Full participant materials package
- Check-in between sessions
- Final resource and referral guide
Train-the-Trainer
Build lasting capacity inside your organization. We train your staff or community leaders to facilitate preparedness workshops independently.
- Facilitator training (half- or full-day)
- Curriculum license and materials
- Ongoing coaching and support
- Custom adaptation for your context
Sample Workshop Outline
Seniors Track
A look inside what a Seniors workshop actually covers — every session is shaped to the specific needs of your community and audience.
Format & Delivery
- 90-minute facilitated workshop
- In-person at your venue or facility
- Up to 30 participants per session
- Available as a standalone or series
- Multilingual delivery available upon request
Accessibility
- Large-print handouts available
- Plain language throughout — no jargon
- Paced for older adults; no rushing
- Seated format, wheelchair accessible
- Low literacy adaptations on request
Topics Covered
Medication & Medical Equipment Planning
How to manage prescriptions, devices, and supplies during power outages or evacuations.
Shelter-in-Place & Utility Shut-offs
When to stay, when to go, and how to safely shut off gas, water, and electricity.
Personal Emergency Plan
Building a household plan that accounts for mobility, medical needs, and support networks.
Staying Connected During Outages
Communication strategies when phones and internet are unreliable for extended periods.
Evacuation with Limited Mobility
Practical planning for seniors who rely on walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.
Neighbor Networks & Local Resources
How to identify neighbors who can help, and local resources to call on in a crisis.
Target Audience
- Adults 60 and older, especially those aging in place
- Seniors living in affordable or subsidized housing
- Residents of senior centers, meal programs, and congregate sites
- Older adults with limited mobility, chronic conditions, or cognitive changes
- Participants in Offices on Aging programs
- Memory care and assisted living residents and staff
Learning Goals
- Understand the most likely emergency scenarios in their community
- Build a personal emergency plan that fits their living situation
- Know how to prepare medications, equipment, and documents in advance
- Identify two to three neighbors or contacts who can help in a crisis
- Feel confident — not frightened — about what to do when things go wrong
- Leave with a completed 72-hour preparedness checklist
Materials Provided
Your Presenter
Led by Marguerite Young
Marguerite Young is a community resilience specialist with four decades in public service, community organizing, environmental health, and public governance. Her background spans climate resilience, water and public health policy, workforce development, and community outreach — including elected leadership at the East Bay Municipal Utility District, where she serves a public utility reaching 1.4 million people. She brings warmth, practical knowledge, and deep respect for the communities she serves to every workshop.
What People Take Home
Real Skills. Real Plans. Real Confidence.
Every participant leaves with more than just information — they leave with a plan they can use.
A personalized household emergency plan, ready to use
Knowledge of local emergency alert systems and how to sign up
A 72-hour preparedness checklist tailored to their household
Guidance on medications, mobility aids, and medical equipment during emergencies
Tools for staying connected with neighbors during a crisis
Confidence in knowing what to do when things go wrong
Understanding of local resources, shelters, and support services
A printed resource guide to keep at home
For Sponsors
Bring Preparedness to Your Community
Community Resilience Training is designed to be sponsored — by the agencies, organizations, and institutions that serve the people who need it most. We partner with sponsors to deliver workshops that make preparedness genuinely accessible to everyone.
Sponsors bring the venue, the audience, and the community relationships. We bring the curriculum, the facilitation, and the materials. Together, we make preparedness real.
Ideal Sponsor Venues
About Rivernstream
Experience Behind the Program
Rivernstream helps communities, public agencies, and the organizations that serve them prepare for the realities already reshaping everyday life. Our Community Resilience Training program was built from the ground up around the needs of people who are too often left out of traditional emergency preparedness: seniors aging in place, families with limited resources, caregivers managing complex responsibilities, and the workers who support them. Marguerite Young, Rivernstream's founder, is available for Interim Executive Leadership placements.
Rivernstream is led by Marguerite Young, who brings four decades of experience in public service, community organizing, environmental health, and public governance. Her work has spanned climate resilience, water and public health policy, workforce development, and community outreach — including elected leadership at the East Bay Municipal Utility District, where she serves a public utility reaching 1.4 million people. Rivernstream's training programs reflect her deep belief that resilience is built through relationships, trust, and the people communities rely on every single day.
Ready to Bring Community Resilience Training to Your Community?
Whether you're ready to sponsor a workshop or just want to learn more, we'd love to talk.
Get in Touch
Send an Inquiry
Tell us about your community and what you're looking for. We'll follow up within two business days.